Refrigerator having a coil cooling device for increasing efficiency and method therefor

ABSTRACT

An air conditioning unit for a large vehicle uses a standard air conditioning unit. Air ducting is provided for transferring and dispensing cold air generated from the standard air conditioning unit over a condenser coil of the standard air conditioning unit to cool the gas and cause the gas in the condenser coil to become a liquid in a faster manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to refrigerators and, more specifically, to a cooling system for a motor home and/or trailer refrigerator which will allow the refrigerator to function more efficiently.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In general, large vehicles like recreational vehicles and motor homes typically have a refrigerator. The refrigerator is generally a gas or propane powered refrigerator. These refrigerators have no moving parts and use gas or propane as their primary source of energy. Also, these types of refrigerators use heat, in the form of burning propane, to produce the cold inside the refrigerator.

[0005] A gas refrigerator uses ammonia as a coolant, and it uses water, ammonia and hydrogen gas to create a continuous cycle for the ammonia. The refrigerator has five main parts: a generator generates ammonia gas, a separator separates the ammonia gas from the water, a condenser is provided where hot ammonia gas is cooled and condensed to create a liquid ammonia, an evaporator is also provided where the liquid ammonia evaporates to create the cold temperatures inside the refrigerator, and an absorber absorbs the ammonia gas in the water.

[0006] The cycle works in the following manner. Heat is applied to the generator. The heat comes from burning something like gas, propane or kerosene. In the generator is a solution of ammonia and water. The heat raises the temperature of the solution to the boiling point of the ammonia. The boiling solution flows to the separator. In the separator, the water separates from the ammonia gas. The ammonia gas flows upward to the condenser. The condenser is composed of metal coils and fins that allow the ammonia gas to dissipate its heat and condense into a liquid. The liquid ammonia makes its way to the evaporator, where it mixes with hydrogen gas and evaporates, producing cold temperatures inside the refrigerator. The ammonia and hydrogen gases flow to the absorber. Here, the water that has collected in the separator is mixed with the ammonia and hydrogen gases. The ammonia forms a solution with the water and releases the hydrogen gas, which flows back to the evaporator. The ammonia-and-water solution flows toward the generator to repeat the cycle.

[0007] The refrigerators in recreational vehicles tend to build up a lot of heat behind the coils. During the warm summer months it takes a longer time for the refrigerator to cool down. The warmer the temperature, the harder the refrigerator has to work to cool the air. In colder months and climates, the air conditioner units work more efficiently.

[0008] Therefore, a need existed to provide an improved refrigerator unit. The improved refrigerator unit will generally be used for recreational vehicles and motor homes and will be more efficient than prior art units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved refrigerator unit.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved refrigerator unit for recreational vehicles and motor homes that will be more efficient than prior art units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0011] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator unit for a large vehicle is disclosed. The refrigerator unit comprises a standard refrigerator unit. Air ducting is used for transferring and dispensing cold air generated from an air conditioning unit of the large vehicle over a condenser coil of the standard refrigerator unit.

[0012] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing a more efficient refrigerator unit for a large vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a standard refrigerator unit; and transferring and dispensing cold air generated from a standard air conditioning unit in the large vehicle over a condenser coil of the standard refrigerator unit.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0015]FIG. 1 is a simplified view of a prior art refrigerator unit.

[0016]FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the improved refrigerator unit of the present invention installed in a recreational vehicle.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a top view of the improved refrigerator unit of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a rear view of the improved refrigerator unit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art refrigerator unit 10 is shown. As disclosed above, heat is applied to the generator 12. The heat comes from burning something like gas, propane or kerosene in a burner 14. In the generator 12 is a solution of ammonia and water. The heat raises the temperature of the solution to the boiling point of the ammonia. The boiling solution flows to the separator. In the separator, the water separates from the ammonia gas. The ammonia gas flows upward to the condenser 16. The condenser 16 is composed of metal coils and fins that allow the ammonia gas to dissipate its heat and condense into a liquid. The liquid ammonia makes its way to the evaporator 18, where it mixes with hydrogen gas and evaporates, producing cold temperatures inside the refrigerator. The ammonia and hydrogen gases flow to the absorber. Here, the water that has collected in the separator is mixed with the ammonia and hydrogen gases. The ammonia forms a solution with the water and releases the hydrogen gas, which flows back to the evaporator. The ammonia-and-water solution flows toward the generator to repeat the cycle.

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an improved refrigerator unit 100 of the present invention will be discussed. The refrigerator unit 100 is more efficient than prior art units since the refrigerator unit 100 is able to cool the gas flowing through the coils 14 more efficiently.

[0021] The air conditioning unit 100 is similar to the prior art air condition unit 10 disclosed above. In order to improve the efficiency of the refrigerator unit 100, one need to cool the condenser coil 14 more efficiently. As stated above, a lot of heat tends to build up behind the condenser coils 14. Unfortunately, in warmer climates and when the outside temperature starts to rise, it takes a longer time to get the refrigerator to cool down.

[0022] The refrigerator unit 100 is able to increase the operating efficiency by being able to cool the gas and cause the gas in the condenser coil 14 to become a liquid in a faster manner. The refrigerator unit 100 accomplishes this by forcing cold air generated by an air conditioning unit 103 within the recreational vehicle 104 over the condenser coil 14 in order to cool the gas and cause the gas in the condenser coil 14 to become a liquid in a faster manner. The air ducting 102 will run from inside the recreational vehicle 104 where the air conditioning unit 103 is installed, to the rear side of the refrigerator unit 100. The air ducting 102 will transfer cold air which is generated from the air conditioning unit 103 over the condenser coil 14, to cool the gas and cause the gas in the condenser coil 14 to become a liquid in a faster manner. The air ducting will further push the hot air generated by the condenser coil 14 away from the condenser coil 14. A small fan 106 may be used in order to draw the cold air generated by the air conditioning unit 103 through the air ducting 102 and out of the air ducting 102 over the condenser coil 14. The fan 106 may be powered in any manner. However, in general, a DC powered fan 106 is used.

[0023] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator unit for a large vehicle comprising: a standard refrigerator unit; and air ducting for transferring and dispensing cold air generated from an air conditioning unit of the large vehicle over a condenser coil of the standard refrigerator unit.
 2. A refrigerator unit for a large vehicle in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a fan coupled to the air ducting for drawing cold air generated by the air conditioning unit through the air ducting and out of the air ducting over the condenser coil.
 3. A refrigerator unit for a large vehicle in accordance with claim 2 wherein the fan is a DC powered fan.
 4. A refrigerator unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein the standard refrigerator unit comprises: a generator for storing a solution of ammonia and water; a burner for heating the solution of ammonia and water to create an ammonia gas; a condenser wherein the condenser is composed of condenser coils that allow the ammonia gas to dissipate its heat and condense into a liquid; an evaporator for mixing the liquid with hydrogen gas and causing evaporation to produce cold temperatures inside the refrigerator unit; and an absorber.
 5. A method for providing a more efficient refrigerator unit for a large vehicle comprising: providing a standard refrigerator unit; and transferring and dispensing cold air generated from a standard air conditioning unit in the large vehicle over a condenser coil of the standard refrigerator unit.
 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising providing air ducting for transferring and dispensing the cold air generated from the standard air conditioning unit over the condenser coil of the standard refrigerator unit.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising providing a fan coupled to the air ducting for drawing cold air generated by the standard air conditioning unit through the air ducting and out of the air ducting over the condenser coil.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of providing a DC powered fan.
 9. A device for increasing efficiency of a refrigerator in a large vehicle comprising: air ducting for transferring and dispensing cold air generated from an air conditioning unit of the large vehicle over a condenser coil of the refrigerator; and a fan coupled to the air ducting for drawing cold air generated by the air conditioning unit through the air ducting and out of the air ducting over the condenser coil.
 10. A device for increasing efficiency of a refrigerator in a large vehicle in accordance with claim 9 wherein the fan is a DC powered fan. 